Marathon journey starts here for one SWDNL Member

Preparations for this years London Marathon are well underway for one Weymouth resident.Kelly Riglar will this year be running for Shelter UK, a national charity which helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through advice, support and legal services with the aim that one day, nobody will have to turn to them for help.

This year’s marathon is taking place on Sunday, April 22, giving Kelly just under four months to prepare.

Kelly over the past 18 months has lost more than seven stone, going from a size 28/30 to a 14/16 by following the Swimming World plan and exercise.

Kelly is currently part of the Mick Adams Slimming World group, which is held at Southill Community Centre, and before losing the weight was inactive, struggling to walk any distance without ending up in severe back pain.

As part of raising money for Shelter UK, Kelly is hosting a charity quiz night tonight on Saturday, January 27 and a charity bingo night on Saturday, March 3, with both events taking place at the Southill Community Centre.

On both evenings there will be a raffle, with tickets sold on the night.

Alongside this, Kelly is hosting a charity netball tournament at Budmouth Sports Centre, as her team play in the local Weymouth league, and is being run in association with the South West Netball League.

Only affiliated players are able to play due to insurance purposes, but there are still the other events to enjoy.

Kelly said: “I have now lost over seven stone, and I am almost at my target weight.

“I thought it would be quite fitting to run a marathon after taking up running last January.

“I decided to run for Shelter UK as I am a Housing Officer for Sovereign Housing and homelessness is an issue close to my heart.”

Sovereign Housing is a social business, providing over 55,000 homes for around 130,000 people in housing need across the south and south west of England, and the Isle of Wight.

There is a capacity for 120 people for the charity events, if you would like to book a place contact Kelly at Kellyriglar@yahoo.com